Travel relief as volcanic eruption stops

The histories, written by Irish monks, over 1,200 years, have proved to be a useful resource to researchers who were examining climate change in relation to volcanic explosions.Google Images

Flights disruptions across Europe could be coming to an end permanently as leading volcanologists believe the Icelandic volcano may has stopped erupting.

Aviation authorities across Europe welcomed the news that could mean an end to flight disruptions. Over the last month more than 100,000 flights and eight million passengers have had their plans disrupted by the volcano.

It has been the largest aerial shutdown in Europe since World War II.

Heat images taken early yesterday morning showed that Eyjafjallajokull volcano’s temperature has dropped below 212F. This means the volcano may no longer be in activity.

Magnus Gudmundsson, of Iceland University said “What I can confirm is that the activity of the crater has stopped. No magma is coming up.

"The eruption, at least for the time being, has stopped. Now there is only steam coming out of the crater."

However, experts also believe that is too early to tell if this is the end of the volcano’s eruption or if this is merely a temporary stop.

“I would say if there are no new earthquakes and no new outburst, then that would suggest it is over,” said Gudmundsson.

"But the last eruption stopped and started again several times with different intervals, so it's difficult to say, difficult to give a timeline."

A spokesperson from the Irish Aviation Authority said that they were pleased with the news but pointed out that unless the volcano has stopped erupting for 21 days it cannot be considered inactive.

On April 14 the volcano became erupting sending a plume of ash and smoke across the whole continent of Europe cause disastrous disruptions to flights. It is believed that the disruptions will cost the tourism industry up to $6.2 million.